US7357448B2 - Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar - Google Patents
Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US7357448B2 US7357448B2 US11/276,276 US27627606A US7357448B2 US 7357448 B2 US7357448 B2 US 7357448B2 US 27627606 A US27627606 A US 27627606A US 7357448 B2 US7357448 B2 US 7357448B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- roof
- flange
- vehicle
- wall
- pillar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/04—Door pillars ; windshield pillars
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/06—Fixed roofs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D27/00—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units
- B62D27/02—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units rigid
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a unitary hydroformed roof support pillar for a vehicle.
- Roof support pillars support the roof of a vehicle and are located between the windows and doors of a vehicle. Roof support pillars are frequently identified as A, B, C and in some instances D-pillars depending on the vehicle style.
- a B-pillar is generally located immediately behind the front door of a vehicle. The B-pillar is an important element in determining roof strength and the degree of side impact intrusion.
- B-pillars are fabricated as multiple stamped sheet metal parts that are generally spot welded together. It is possible to improve the strength of conventional B-pillars by forming the sheet metal parts from high grade material, such as dual phase and boron steels. B-pillars may also be made stronger by using thicker gauge sheet metal components. However, the use of high strength alloys and thicker sheet metal may increase the weight of a vehicle and also increases the cost to manufacture the B-pillar. Even with the use of thicker alloy components, B-pillars of conventional design may not always meet stringent test requirements for roof strength and side impact performance.
- the present invention is directed to solving the above problems and other problems relating to the manufacture of a roof support pillar with minimum part count and improved roof crush and side impact performance.
- Prior art methods of hydroforming roof support pillars face technical barriers relating to the hydroforming procedure, methods of joining hydroformed components and packaging constraints. In particular, it is difficult for a hydroformed tube that has a uniform perimeter to accommodate desired section variations for vehicle styling.
- Prior art multiple-piece B-pillars are designed to connect the roof rail, rocker and body outer panels. Connection between these elements are critical for vehicle body strength and noise, vibration and hardness (NVH) joint stiffness.
- Packaging constraints for B-pillars include providing clearance for seatbelt retractors and adequate mounting surfaces for door latch and hinge reinforcements.
- a roof support assembly is provided in part by a roof rail and rocker panel that are connected by a one piece partially hollow support pillar.
- the support pillar has an inner wall, an outer wall, a front wall and a rear wall.
- the support pillar has a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker panel and an upper section that extends upwardly from the lower section.
- the upper section has a convergent tubular shape formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, the front wall and the rear wall that converge in the vertical direction.
- the convergent tubular section has flanges extending longitudinally from the front wall and the rear wall. The upper end of the convergent tubular section terminates in a compressed roof rail flange that includes only the inner wall and the outer wall.
- the compressed roof rail flange is assembled to an outer surface and upper surface of the roof rail.
- a roof support pillar for a vehicle for supporting a vehicle roof over a passenger compartment.
- the pillar is disposed adjacent a rear edge of the vehicle door that provides access to a front seat of the vehicle.
- the vehicle has a roof rail and a rocker panel that are interconnected by the roof support pillar.
- the roof support pillar comprises a unitary and partially tubular member having a closed roof rail flange on an upper end and a closed rocker panel flange on a lower end.
- the roof rail flange is assembled to the roof rail on a surface of the roof rail that is on the opposite side of the roof rail from the passenger compartment.
- the rocker flange is assembled to the rocker panel on a surface of the rocker panel that is on the opposite side of the rocker panel from the passenger compartment.
- a roof support pillar that is disposed between a front row of seats and a rear row of seats of the vehicle.
- the roof support pillar comprises a hollow tubular body having a roof rail flange on the upper end and a rocker flange on the lower end.
- a seatbelt retractor cavity is formed in the tubular portion adjacent to the lower end of the pillar.
- the roof rail flange is welded to an outer surface of the roof rail and the rocker flange is welded to an outer surface of the rocker.
- the support pillar may have a tubular lower section that terminates in a compressed rocker flange that includes only an inner wall and an outer wall and that is assembled to an outer surface of the rocker panel.
- the rocker flange may extend around to the bottom surface of the rocker panel.
- the rocker flange may have a spot weld flange disposed below the rocker panel.
- the tubular lower portion of the support pillar may have an inner wall that defines a concave portion in which a seatbelt retractor may be assembled.
- the roof rail defines an indentation relative to an outer surface of the roof onto which the roof rail flange of the support pillar is received.
- the roof rail flange preferably has at least two layers of metal wherein at least one layer of metal is removed from certain portions to facilitate spot welding the roof rail flange to the roof rail.
- the roof rail flange overlaps and is welded to an end flange of a transversely extending roof bow.
- an upper portion of the tubular body portion may have a tubular rectilinear cross section at a belt line of the vehicle.
- the rectilinear cross section of the upper portion of the tubular body portion is reduced in the vertical vehicle direction.
- the forwardly extending flange and rearwardly extending flange of the upper portion of the tubular body may increase in longitudinal extent along the vertical vehicle direction.
- the forward extending flange and rearward extending flange are formed by collapsing a portion of the tubular member from which the tubular portion is formed in the hydroforming operation.
- the rocker flange on the lower end of the tubular body portion may be formed by collapsing a portion of the tubular member from which the tubular body portion is formed.
- FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a B-pillar, roof rail, roof bow and rocker;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a B-pillar
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3 - 3 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4 - 4 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5 - 5 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a B-pillar, roof rail and roof bow.
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a B-pillar, roof rail and roof bow.
- a one-piece B-pillar 10 is shown attached to a roof rail 12 and roof bow 14 .
- the B-pillar 10 is also attached to a rocker 18 .
- the B-pillar 10 has a middle portion 20 and an upper portion 22 extending upwardly from the middle portion 20 .
- a lower portion 24 extends downwardly from the middle portion 20 .
- FIG. 3 which is a cross section taken through the middle portion 20 , the cross section of the B-pillar 10 in that area includes a front wall 28 , a rear wall 30 , and outer wall 32 and an inner wall 34 .
- the four walls 28 - 34 form a substantially rectangular box shaped beam.
- a front flange 36 and a rear flange 38 extend forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, from a trapezoidal section 40 .
- the trapezoidal section 40 extends upwardly as a continuation of the walls 28 - 34 with the front wall 28 and rear wall 30 converging toward the outer wall 32 in the vertical direction.
- the upper portion 22 of the B-pillar 10 terminates in a flat top portion 42 .
- the flat top portion 42 extends on the outer and upper sides of the roof rail 12 and is received below the roof bow 14 .
- FIG. 5 a cross section taken through the lower portion 24 of the B-pillar 10 is shown to define an inner concave portion 46 .
- the inner concave portion 46 may receive a seat belt retractor mechanism (not shown) if desired.
- the one-piece B-pillar 10 is shown in conjunction with the roof bow 14 .
- the B-pillar 10 includes on its lower portion 24 the inner concave portion 46 that leads to a rocker attachment flange 48 at its lower end.
- the B-pillar includes D-ring attachment holes 50 and a wiring duct access hole 52 .
- the upper portion 22 of the B-pillar 10 includes a front flange 36 and a rear flange 38 that are formed in a hydroforming operation by compressing the beam from which the B-pillar is formed.
- the upper portion 22 of the B-pillar 10 may be seated in an indentation 56 formed on the roof rail 12 .
- Ribs 58 may be formed on the roof bow 14 to provide the desired degree of rigidity and reinforce the roof structure.
- a plurality of weld access areas may be provided in front and rear flanges 36 and 38 by removing a single layer area 60 of the tubular blank prior to the hydroforming operation.
- the single layer area 60 facilitates welding operations for joining the roof rail to the B-pillar.
- the B-pillar 10 is secured to a body side outer panel (not shown).
- the B-pillar is joined to the roof rail 12 and the roof bow 14 at its upper end.
- Hinge hardware holes 54 or other door hardware such as striker plates or locking plates may be secured to the front wall 28 and rear wall 30 of the B-pillar by means of holes such as hinge hardware holes 54 .
- the upper end of the B-pillar includes the flat top portion 42 that extends over the roof rail 12 and under the roof bow 14 as previously described.
Abstract
Description
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/276,276 US7357448B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2006-02-22 | Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US68766605P | 2005-06-06 | 2005-06-06 | |
US11/276,276 US7357448B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2006-02-22 | Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20060273630A1 US20060273630A1 (en) | 2006-12-07 |
US7357448B2 true US7357448B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/276,276 Active US7357448B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2006-02-22 | Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US7357448B2 (en) |
Cited By (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080030050A1 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2008-02-07 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Interlocked pillar and roof rail joint |
US20080093892A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2008-04-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tubular b-pillar to stamped rocker joint and method of assembling the same |
US20090174228A1 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2009-07-09 | Renault S.A.S. | Connection between the roof cross-member and the upper center pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle |
US20100194147A1 (en) * | 2009-02-02 | 2010-08-05 | Vari-Form, Inc. | Vehicle roof support pillar assembly |
US20100237661A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-09-23 | Mohamed Ridha Baccouche | Vehicle body structure |
US20110210581A1 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2011-09-01 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Structural member for vehicle |
US20110233965A1 (en) * | 2008-12-08 | 2011-09-29 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Structure that includes bolt fastening portion having higher resistance against external force |
DE102010036450A1 (en) * | 2010-07-16 | 2012-01-19 | Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe Ag | B-pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle |
US20120242112A1 (en) * | 2009-06-18 | 2012-09-27 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle structure body |
US20120256445A1 (en) * | 2011-04-05 | 2012-10-11 | Ridha Baccouche | Vehicle roof support pillar |
US20140327273A1 (en) * | 2011-11-25 | 2014-11-06 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle body side section structure |
US20140346816A1 (en) * | 2013-05-21 | 2014-11-27 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle frame rail and pillar connection |
US20160023683A1 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2016-01-28 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Side vehicle-body structure of automotive vehicle |
US20160101815A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-04-14 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Vehicle Structures and Methods Of Assembling The Same |
US9365242B1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-06-14 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tubular vehicle roof pillar reinforcement |
USD782947S1 (en) | 2016-03-14 | 2017-04-04 | Independent Protection Co., Inc. | Van passenger windshield |
US9718497B2 (en) * | 2015-04-08 | 2017-08-01 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Vehicle body side reinforcement members and vehicles incorporating the same |
USD796400S1 (en) | 2016-03-14 | 2017-09-05 | Independent Protection Co., Inc. | Van window arrangement |
USD796419S1 (en) | 2016-03-14 | 2017-09-05 | Independent Protection Co., Inc. | Van roof |
US9802651B2 (en) | 2016-02-16 | 2017-10-31 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle body structure |
US10093360B2 (en) | 2017-01-27 | 2018-10-09 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle roof support assembly |
US10486750B2 (en) * | 2015-08-20 | 2019-11-26 | Nippon Steel Corporation | Steel sheet member combination structure, automotive structural member, center pillar, bumper, and door beam |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7357448B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2008-04-15 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar |
ATE445527T1 (en) * | 2006-12-01 | 2009-10-15 | Ford Global Tech Llc | ROOF SUPPORT COLUMN MADE IN ONE PIECE USING HIGH PRESSURE MOLDS |
US20090174220A1 (en) * | 2008-01-07 | 2009-07-09 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Vehicle Body Structure with Linking Bracket for a Vehicle Side Pillar |
JP2011088596A (en) * | 2009-10-26 | 2011-05-06 | Mazda Motor Corp | Vehicle body constitution member for vehicle |
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Cited By (40)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7431378B2 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2008-10-07 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Interlocked pillar and roof rail joint |
US20080030050A1 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2008-02-07 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Interlocked pillar and roof rail joint |
US20090174228A1 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2009-07-09 | Renault S.A.S. | Connection between the roof cross-member and the upper center pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle |
US7963591B2 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2011-06-21 | Renault S.A.S. | Connection between the roof cross-member and the upper center pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle |
US20080093892A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2008-04-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tubular b-pillar to stamped rocker joint and method of assembling the same |
US7857377B2 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2010-12-28 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tubular B-pillar to stamped rocker joint and method of assembling the same |
US20110061237A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2011-03-17 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tubular B-Pillar to Stamped Rocker Joint and Method of Assembling The Same |
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US8419113B2 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2013-04-16 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Structural member for vehicle |
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US8662567B2 (en) | 2009-02-02 | 2014-03-04 | Vari-Form, Inc. | Vehicle roof support pillar assembly |
CN101898586A (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-12-01 | 福特全球技术公司 | Body structure |
CN101898586B (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2015-03-11 | 福特全球技术公司 | Vehicle body structure |
US20100237661A1 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2010-09-23 | Mohamed Ridha Baccouche | Vehicle body structure |
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